Officers and men from the British assault ship HMS Bulwark took a break from security duties in Malta last week to pay tribute to the Fallen of the two world wars at Capucchini Cemetery in Kalkara.

1,045 Commonwealth war dead are buried at Capuccini (plus more than 1,440 service personnel who died in Malta in times of peace, and 137 non-Commonwealth war dead), including 22 men killed when battleship HMS Russell was sunk by a mine in April 1916.

Also at eternal rest in Capuccini are five sailors from an earlier HMS Bulwark, who died during service on the Mediterranean Station in Malta in 1905.

Their 21st Century successors, led by Commanding Officer Capt Nick Cooke-Priest, and representatives of the Maltese government and the British High Commission paid their respects in a short service of remembrance.

“Services such as this always underline the commitment and bravery of those who have gone before and it is particularly poignant that sailors from a previous Bulwark are buried here,” said Capt Cooke-Priest.